“New Mexico Police Officer Felipe Hernandez Charged with Murder in Shooting of Teresa Gomez”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Las Cruces Police Officer Felipe Hernandez Arrested and Charged with Second-Degree Murder in New Mexico

Las Cruces, New Mexico – A police officer from Las Cruces, Felipe Hernandez, has been arrested and charged with second-degree murder after he allegedly shot and killed a grandmother, Teresa Gomez, under questionable circumstances. The incident occurred last year, and Hernandez turned himself over to authorities on Tuesday before being placed on administrative leave.

According to reports from local news station KFOX 14, Hernandez approached Gomez and another passenger in her car on October 3 at a public housing area. The officer requested Gomez to step out of the vehicle for questioning, as he claimed she was trespassing along with the passenger, identified as Jesus Garcia, aged 38.

Gomez, who stated that she was merely visiting a friend, asked if she could sit back in her car. The officer agreed, and as she attempted to speed away, Hernandez opened fire, shooting her multiple times. Bodycam footage revealed the officer shooting Gomez at least three times while she was trying to escape. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Gomez succumbed to her injuries.

Doña Ana County District Attorney Gerald Byers conducted an investigation into the incident and concluded that Hernandez had no justification for using deadly force. Byers stated, “There was no necessity for him to use deadly force. We looked at self-defense. There was no self-defense.”

In response to this tragic incident, the victim’s family, who referred to Gomez as a loving grandmother, has filed a federal wrongful-death lawsuit against the city and the police department. The lawsuit alleges excessive use of force and violation of Gomez’s civil rights, as reported by the New York Post.

Byers criticized Hernandez’s handling of the situation, emphasizing that he was unable to manage the protocol required. Byers stated, “From the very beginning of Mr. Hernandez’s interaction with Ms. Gomez, the ability to manage protocol is non-existent. His interactions with her, just on a human level, were exceptionally subpar and did not meet the standards that LCPD demands of its officers.”

This incident has sparked outrage within the community and raised concerns about police accountability and excessive use of force. As the investigations continue, it is crucial to ensure justice for Teresa Gomez and maintain trust in law enforcement systems..